LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




012 240 400 6 ^j 



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^OUR <POEMS 

Bq ORLANDO PHINEAS BISHOP 





















(C)(I A l>772?0 

JUN 23 1922 




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1 I j O my three daughters, Florence, Mildred 
-*- and Eleanor; and to all who share with me 
in the joy of the Pikes Peak climb; and in the 
delight of camping on Scarritt's Point, this little 
booklet of poems is respectfully dedicated. 

ORLANDO PHINEAS BISHOP 

Minister Bales Baptist Church 
Kansas City, Missouri 



A NEW YEAR'S RESOLVE 



I WILL lift with those that are lifting, 
And 111 weep with those who weep. 
I will strive with those who are striving 
A New Year's resolve to keep. 

I will sing with those who are singing, 
And I'll sigh with those who sigh; 
And I'll stand close by the mourning 
When their loved ones have to die. 

I will pray with those who are praying, 
And I'll try with those who try 
To be real men and women 
In the days as they pass by. 

I will seek with those who are seeking 
The better things of life; 
And I'll try to help my comrades 
As they struggle on in life. 

I will talk with those who are talking, 
And I'll play with those who play; 
And I'll be true to all my friends 
Who love me from day to day. 

I will visit with those who are friendless; 

To the sick 111 always go; 

To the burdened I'll be kindlier 

As I see them in their woe. 



I will go to the ones in sadness 
And 111 lend a helping hand, 
111 lift up my fallen brother 
And 111 try to help him stand. 

I will come to all who need me, 
And I promise 111 never shirk; 
I will do my tasks from day to day, 
And 111 trust in God and work. 

I will smile on those who caress me, 
111 be kind to those who blame, 
I will try to follow my Saviour, 
And be worthy of His name. 

I will smile with the laughing children, 
And 111. visit with the old; 
And 111 do my best for all the young 
To lead them into the fold. 

Ill be true to all who are true to me, 
I will cling to those who fall; 
For I know we are weak and sinful, 
But God is the Father of all. 

I will give of my best to the Master, 
And to those for whom He died; 
And at every call of duty 
111 be standing by His side. 

Ill live this life as it should be lived 
Whatever it may cost me; 
And no matter what the problems are 
A real man 111 try to be. 

Written New Year, 1922 
Bales Study, Kansas City, Missouri. 



GOD OF THE MOUNTAINS AND THE 
CITIES OF THE PLAIN 



I HEARD as I climbed up the mountain so high 
A mighty and awful roar; 
It came louder each blast than storm tossed sea 
Upon the cold, rocky shore. 

'Tis only the wind in the pine trees above — 

Far up on the lofty hills; 
O're the ice frozen deep on the brooklets 

And murmuring mountain rills. 

As I climbed up the rugged pathway so steep, 
Where only the brave have trod, 

It seemed I was being lifted that day 
Into the presence of God. 

Pikes Peak standing ore me so lofty and proud, 

His snowy cap in the sky; 
I knew I had come to a sacred spot, 

And then came the question, "Why?" 

I looked on the valleys below me out there — 
Far out o're the sweeping plain. 

I know that God came and stood by me there; 
And His answer came again: 

"The people live down in the valleys below 
Where the fields are rich and fine. 

There the streets are crowded with those in need; 
There many a heart doth pine. 



Oh, what will you do in the city for Me? 

The people, so good and true, 
Those people, for whom even I gave all, 

Are calling today for you." 

"I will strive to do better each day I live; 

111 follow your every plan. 
In the city far down on the plains below, 

111 answer the call of man." 

Then the lengthening of the shadows I saw; 

And the winter night fell cold; 
Then a million stars in the sky of blue 

The universe story told. 

Said I, " 'What is man thou art mindful of him'? 

And why dost thou care for me?" 
God said, "I have made the world for mankind, 

From the mountains to the sea. 

Oh, go to my people and tell them of Me, 
Go tell them my wondrous love; 

I send you down to the cities below 

From these mighty Peaks above. 

Yes, I send you down from the mountains so high 
To cities where people live; 

I have met thee here and instructed thee 

The message I'd have thee give." 



Written at the Half Way House, Pikes Peak, Colorado. 
January 25, 1922, 4:00 p. m. 



THE MISSOURI RIVER FROM 
SCARRITT'S POINT 



ON Scarritt's Point the night was cold; 
A million stars were twinkling gay. 
I looked down on the river old 
As quietly he wends his way — 

Ever onward toward the sea. 

I pondered there on Scarritt's hill 
Of all the handiwork of God. 
I saw the glittering lights that fill 
The streets where human feet must trod — 
Ever onward toward the sea. 

A hand seemed resting on my arm; 
And in my soul I felt a calm; 
I knew that I was free from harm; 
For God still leads me by the palm — 
Ever onward toward the sea. 

Why should I fret and feel unrest 
When all the problems seem like strife? 
It is His way that's always best, 
His hand that leads me on thru life — 
Ever onward toward the sea. 

Old river, you are dear to me, 
And this great lesson me you've taught: 
Your way is always toward the sea; 
And thru this life with burdens fraught, 
, I go onward toward the sea 



Old river friend, with banks so free, 
Oft ditched and dammed and turned aside, 
(So have they tried to hinder me) 
But you sweep onward with the tide — 
Ever onward toward the sea. 

Your ceaseless flowing day by day 
Has taught me how to push straight on. 
Thru ice and snow you laugh and play; 
When all to rest and sleep have gone 

You push onward toward the sea. 

Some day I'll reach that sea of blue; 
With swelling tide 'twill welcome me. 
The knowledge that I have kept true, 
My sweetest comfort then shall be — 
E'en in the Eternal Sea. 

Some day I'll stand on yonder Hill 
In Canaan's land in Heaven above. 
He will my soul with rapture thrill 
And fill my life with endless love — 
As the river fills the sea. 

On Heaven's hills no night is cold — 
The million stars shine very bright. 
We'll look down on the world so old 
And know that all things are made right — 
Moving onward toward the sea. 



Bales Study, Kansas City, Missouri. 
February 2, 1922 



FORWARD 



i 



WANT to go back 

(But I cannot go) 

And to live the life 

Of the long ago. 



I want to be back 

(But it cannot be) 
And to see the things 

That I used to see. 

I want to stop here. 

But I cannot slack. 
The pace has been set 

On the long, long track. 

But I can look back; 

And I see the dust 
That rises behind me, 

As go on I must. 

But I can go on 

To a higher life, 
To a better day 

That is free from strife. 

I can climb up to 

A new height sublime, 
To a fairer place 

In the bright sunshine. 



If I cannot go back 

Where I used to be, 
I know I can go 

To Eternity. 

Let me then go on 

Toward the final goal 
Of the humble life 

And a worthy soul. 



Bales Study, Kansas City, Missouri. 
February 3, 1922. 



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